A journey into movies of one photographer who discovered many young Hollywood stars-to-be.

Ragman’s Daughter, 1972

Harold Becker has been in the director’s chair for decades, creating movies that engaged audience, be it a crime drama, film noir or documentary. But several decades ago, before he got into movies, Mr. Becker was a commercial photographer in New York and London. Aside from appearing in commercials, his shots got exhibited in galleries and once seeing this photographs you get why: they breathe a sort of artisanal spirit, like in the times when art was not rushed.

Perhaps the most famous of his photographs is series of abstract portraits of the female form, shot with a 1920’s camera, which Mr. Becker restored to working order. It brings the texture of the skin and the contours of the body to surreal details, revealing subtly provoking beauty.

Onion Field, 1979

The director once shared he had never planned a Hollywood career. First films he shot were documentaries, praised at the international film festivals, feature films followed. With movies like Ragman’s Daughter and Onion Field, Mr. Becker paved his way into the Hollywood world to stay. Some of his features like military drama TAPS introduced Sean Penn and Tom Cruise in memorable debuts, others like Sea of Love, Malice, Mercury Rising turned into a perfect background for unleashing the actor’s talents to the fullest. Update your watch list for the long weekend of nostalgic cravings with some notable 90s classics.

A journey into movies of one photographer who discovered many young Hollywood stars-to-be.

Ragman’s Daughter, 1972

Harold Becker has been in the director’s chair for decades, creating movies that engaged audience, be it a crime drama, film noir or documentary. But several decades ago, before he got into movies, Mr. Becker was a commercial photographer in New York and London. Aside from appearing in commercials, his shots got exhibited in galleries and once seeing this photographs you get why: they breathe a sort of artisanal spirit, like in the times when art was not rushed.

Perhaps the most famous of his photographs is series of abstract portraits of the female form, shot with a 1920’s camera, which Mr. Becker restored to working order. It brings the texture of the skin and the contours of the body to surreal details, revealing subtly provoking beauty.

Onion Field, 1979

The director once shared he had never planned a Hollywood career. First films he shot were documentaries, praised at the international film festivals, feature films followed. With movies like Ragman’s Daughter and Onion Field, Mr. Becker paved his way into the Hollywood world to stay. Some of his features like military drama TAPS introduced Sean Penn and Tom Cruise in memorable debuts, others like Sea of Love, Malice, Mercury Rising turned into a perfect background for unleashing the actor’s talents to the fullest. Update your watch list for the long weekend of nostalgic cravings with some notable 90s classics.